2-year-old girl died after her mother’s fiance beat her for days because she was in “terrible twos” and then refused to let the girl’s mother call 911; couple faces death penalty
Pennsylvania – In a disturbing case in Pennsylvania, prosecutors are pursuing the death penalty against a 30-year-old mother, identified as C. Nunn, and a 33-year-old man, identified as E. Dennis, who have been charged with multiple felonies, including criminal homicide, in the death of Nunn’s 2-year-old daughter. This tragic incident has left a community in mourning and a family grappling with an unimaginable loss.
Authorities were alerted to the horrific situation last year, in October, when the young child was brought to the hospital and pronounced dead. The coroner’s report later indicated that the toddler succumbed to injuries consistent with severe physical abuse. Following the initial emergency call, Pennsylvania State Police quickly responded to the couple’s apartment, where they found the 2-year-old girl unresponsive, showing clear signs of distress and physical harm. According to reports, the little girl was discovered face down, surrounded by what seemed to be dried vomit, and bearing multiple marks and scratches all over her body.
An in-depth investigation led to the disturbing revelation that the fatal injuries were inflicted by Dennis, who was living with the girl and her mother at the time. During police interviews, Dennis shockingly admitted to physically assaulting the toddler repeatedly over several days. He described his violent actions with unsettling detachment, even referring to the young girl impersonally as “it” throughout the interrogation.
Further exacerbating the grim scenario, the victim’s mother provided testimony that painted a gruesome picture of the days leading up to her daughter’s death. She recounted that Dennis dragged her daughter by the arm, hit her until she lost consciousness, and expressed his frustration with what he termed the toddler’s “terrible twos.” The mother also said she had witnessed several falls that might have contributed to her daughter’s injuries, although these statements did not absolve the suspect from the heinous acts he confessed to.
One of the most chilling aspects of this case was the mother’s assertion that she had wanted to take her daughter to the hospital after noticing her deteriorating condition, but Dennis had vehemently opposed this, fearing an investigation by child protective services would ensue. Prosecutors believe Nunn deliberately chose not to intervene or call for help to avoid legal consequences. Nunn and Dennins were both charged with first-degree murder in connection with the young girl’s death. The District Attorney’s Office last week formally filed a Notice of Aggravating Circumstances, signaling their intent to seek the death penalty. The two listed aggravators include the victim’s young age and the claim that the toddler was tortured. In addition to the murder charge, Nunn and Dennis are facing allegations of torture, which bolsters the prosecution’s argument for the death penalty.
The death of the two-year-old girl has also raised broader concerns about child welfare and the mechanisms in place to protect the most vulnerable members of society. Coroner Dr. B. Baker and the local law enforcement have vowed to pursue justice for the victim, with the district attorney’s office taking a firm stance against what they described as a clear instance of fatal child abuse.
Both defendants remain in custody as they await trial. If convicted of first-degree murder under the aggravating circumstances cited, they could face the death penalty. As this case moves through the court system, officials say they remain committed to pursuing the harshest possible sentence to ensure justice for a child whose life was cut short in the most horrific way.
